The Pro Brush Corporation has long been a staple of the Northampton and Florence communities, from its founding by abolitionists in 1843, to its recent closing in 2008. Operating under a variety of names (including the Florence Manufacturing Company), daguerreotype cases, hair brushes, bayonets and the first toothbrush were manufactured here.
But not enough attention has been paid to the workers' experiences. Historic Northampton recently acquired the final carloads of documents relating to the long-lasting company (adding to a previous collection from 1866-1974), and now we're attempting to establish a more comprehensive understanding of the life behind the brick walls. Please share your memories either on this blog or stop by to talk to our Curators.And make sure to check out the Virtual Exhibit on Pro Brush's Advertising Strategies!
The Pro-Brush Corperation built in 1843 by abolitionists and having manufactured the first toothbrush is an interesting story. The use of advertising for toothbrushes is almost 21st century. I say that because the advertisement says "Dentist as Friend". Advertisements today seem to sell to a human need or experience also. Using bone and hand punching holes for bristles by drill pressing was obviously very labor intensive. Of interest also stated in the article that in 1886 dentistry was just developing, and at that time there were only 10 Dental Schools, throughout the US. My daughter is currently in Dental School, so this story was of particular interest to me. I currently have an electric toothbrush.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing that this business survived so long. The virtual museum is interesting. Won't it be fun to find what's in the boxes your museum just received? Mayb there will be some stories of the people that worked there? Have any interviews or oral histories been done?
ReplyDelete